Mitochondrial DNA is inherited maternally and codes for around 13-14 proteins. However, the majority of proteins associated with the mitochondria are encoded by genes contained within nuclear DNA, which is inherited from both parents. Excluding aberrant mutations in either genome, do conflicts sometime arise due to this dynamic? Can the maternally-inherited mtDNA sometimes be incompatible with the mutually-inherited nuclear DNA? If so, would the fertilized ovum abort immediately, or could issues arise later on in life?
